I love all these ideas (although I don't quite understand the woodburner one - do you have a pic.?)

Here is my tip - Save money on sewing thread and buy it on the cones (usually made for the serger). It is alot cheaper and you get so much more.
I bought this http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/p...RODID=prd12768 and it holds the cone so that it can be used on any machine - I love it!!